Closing-machine.



W. C. BUHLES.

CLOSING MACHINE.

APPLICATION man use. 19. m4.

Patented Aug. 24, 1915.

3 SHEETS-SHEET I.

WITNESSES AQMM 7X9 W. C. BUHLES.

CLOSING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED DEC. I9, 19m.

PatentedA 24, 1915.

3 SH -SHEET 2- .5 mfiwm TL E MGM 5 vm WITNESSES:

W. C. BUHLES.

CLOSING MACHINE APPLICATION HLED DEC. :9, m4.

1 1 50,992. Patented Aug. 24, 1915.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

wcaw1 INVENTOR. 14%DEZSES: WA 6. Bl/HL. E5 By Y ATTORNEYS.

UNITED STATES PATENT omen.

WILLIAM C. IBUELES, OF ALAMEDA, CALIFORNIA, ASSIG-NOR TO ALUMINUM SEAL COMPANY, OF PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA, A CORPORATION OF PENNSYL- VANIA.

CLOSING-MACHINE.

Specification 01' Letters Patent.

Patented Aug. 24, 1915.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, WILLIAM C. Bonnns, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of Alameda, county of Alameda, State of California, have invented a certain new and useful Closing-Machine, of which the following is a specification.

The invention relates to machines for applying caps or covers to bottles, jars, cans or other receptacles.

An object of the invention is to provide means for exhausting or vacuumizing the receptacle before the cover or cap is sealed thereon.

Another object of the invention is to provide means for controlling the amount of vacuum which is to be produced in the receptacle.

A further object of the invention is to provide a closing machine which is automatically thrown into operation when the desired vacuum in the receptacle is obtained.

A further object of the invention is to provide means for releasing the vacuum in the vacuumizing chamber immediately after the closing operation has been completed.

Another object of the invention is to provide means for releasing the vacuum in the chamber when a certain degree of vacuum has been obtained.

The invention possesses many other advantageous features, some of which, with the foregoing, will be setforth at length in the following description, where I shall outline in full that form of the invention which I have selected for illustration in-the drawings accompanying and forming part of the present specification.

In the drawings, I have shown onl one specific form of my generic invention, ut it is to be understood that I donot limit myself to such form because my invention may be embodied in a multiplicity of forms, each being a species of my said invention. It is also to be understood that by the claims A succeeding the description of my invention, I desire to cover the invention in Whatever form it may be embodied. 0

Referring to said drawings: Figure 1 is a front elevation of one form of the machine of my invention. Fig. 2 is a side view of the machine shown in Fig. 1, parts thereof being broken away to disclose the construction. Fig. 3 is a vertical section through the vacuumizing chamber, showing one form of means for securing the closure to the receptacle. Fig. 4 is a side view of the vacuumizing chamber, showing a portion of the means for controlling communication between the chamber and the vacuum pump and the atmosphere. Fig. 5 is a detail showing the means fora controlling communication between the chamber and the vacuum pump and the atmosphere. Fi 6 is a detail of the driving mechanism an clutch operating means of the sealing mechanism.

In the drawings, I have shown the inven tion embodied in a machine for sealing caps or covers to bottles by pressing the cap into locked engagement with the neck of the bottle, such as is shown in my rior application Serial Number 663,321, fi ed December 1, 1911, but it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to any particular type of machine. The present invention may also be applied to machines in which the closure is held to the receptacle by atmospheric pressure in consequence of a vacuum existing in the receptacle. In such machines the closure is placed on the receptacle, the receptacle placed in the chamber, the chamber and consequently the receptacle is then vacuumized and the closure is then pressed against the mouth of the receptacle during the time that the vacuum is being released. Thus the atmospheric ressure on the closure in consequence of tiie vacuum in the receptacle holds the closure on to the receptacle without the aid of any mechanical enga ment between the closure and the neck of ihe receptacle. In the present embodiment the closing machine consists of a suitable upright frame 2 having a suitable base 3 in which is arranged the driving and clutch mechanism.

Slidably mounted in suitable bearings 4 secured to the frame is a plunger 5 which is provided on its upper end with a table 6 upon which the bottle or vessel to be closed is glaced. Ad'ustahly secured the plunger 5 y means 0 the set screws 7 1s a collar 8, which is attached to the operating lever 9 by the links 12. The lever 9 is pivoted on a yielding support 13, which moves downward when a given resistance is o posed to the upward movement of the ta 1e 6. This arrangement allows bottles of slightly varying heights to be used, without producing an excess of vertical pressure on the oversize bottles. The lever 9 is rocked by means of the rod 14 which is attached to the eccentric band 15 surrounding the eccentric 16 arranged withi'n the base.

The table 6 is disposed in a casing or chamber 17 and the plunger 5 enters the chamber through a suitable stufling box 18 so that a non-leaking joint is produced. Ar.- ranged at the upper portion of the chamber and alined with the table are means for securing the cap or cover to the receptacle. In the present embodiment, this means consists of a head 19, supported in the cap 21, which closes the upper end of the chamber. The joint between the cap 21 and the top wall of the chamber is made air tight so that no leakage may occur at this point. The head 19 is made cylindrical in shape and is provided with an opening extending vertically therein to receive the head or mouth of the receptacle to be closed. This opening flares outwardly at the bottom to allow a ready insertion and centering of the neck or head of the receptacle.

Arranged within the head are means which act during the operation of the machine to press the flange on the cap or cover against the neck of the receptacle and into locking engagement therewith. This sealing means may be of any desired construction, the form shown comprising a ring 22 of india rubber or other conformable material, seated within the head on a fian e 23 and which is adapted to be disto to press the flange of the cap against the neck of the bottle or receptacle. It is to be understood that the construction of the means for sealing or holding the closure tothe receptacle does not form part of the present invention, but is described for the purpose of illustrating the operation of the whole machine shown. In the construction in which the ring 22 is used, an internal cylinder 21 rests with its lower end on the ring, so that a downward movement of the cylinder against the ring will cause it to be distorted in transverse section, forcing part of the ring inward radially against the flange on the closure, pressing it firmly against the receptacle neck and into locked-engagement therewith.

Within the head and in such position that it is engaged by the top of the closure on the receptacle is a yielding ring 25, mounted on the cylindrical block 26, which forces the closure to its seat on the receptacle. The block 26 is attached to a cross bar 27 which passes through slots 28 in the cylinder 24 and rests within recesses in the ca 21, so that the cylinder 24. may be move down ward to distort the ring 22 without interfering with the downward pressure on the receptacle. The inner cylinder 24 is provided with a shank 29 which projects through the cap 21, the joint between the cap 21 and the shank being closed by asuitable stufiing box 31.

The inner cylinder is moved downward pendent motion is such, that the receptacle carrying its closure is moved upward by the table 6 into its proper position in the head 19 before the means for sealing the closure to the receptacle become operative.

In accordance with the present invention, means are provided for exhausting or vacuumizing the receptacle before the closure is sealed thereto, for regulating the vacuum to the desired pressure, for throwing the sealing means into operation when the desired vacuum is obtained and for releasing the vacuum when the desired degree of vacuum has been obtained.

The chamber 17, in which the closing or sealing means is arranged, is adapted to be closed and sealed a ainst ingress of air, and means are provide for vacuumizing the chamber after it has been closed. The chamher is provided with a door 36 which is movable to open and closed positions. In the present embodiment the door 36 is arranged at the front of the chamber and is arranged to be movel vertically, and when in its upper position closes the chamber. The door is eld against the face of the chamber by suitable rollers 37 and is secured to the piston rod 38 which is attached to a piston disposed in cylinder 39 supported on the bracket 11 which is secured to the frame above the chamber or to the upper end of the chamber. The cylinder 39 is connected to the vacuum pump or source of vacuum, through the ipe 42 which is provided with a valve 43, or controllin the flow of air through the pipe. The va ve is operated by the foot lever 44, to which it is connected by the rod 45. The foot lever is normally held in the raised position by a spring 46, and depression of the lever serves to open the valve, thereby causing the door -to be raised and the chamber closed.

Means are provided for causing the exhaustion of the chamber, as soon as the door reaches its closed position. The chamber 17 is provided with an exhaust port 47 which is connected to the vacuum-pump or source of vacuum, and a valve 48, preferably a three-way valve, is arranged in the connection. In one position, the valve establishes communication between the chamber and the source of vacuum, to produce the vacuum in the chamber and in the other position the valve establishes communication between the chamber and the atmosphere, to allow the and preferably pivoted at 53 to the side wall of the chamber 17, is a latch 54, which engages an abutment 55, on the rod 51, holding it in its depressed position, in which position, the position of the valve 48 is such as to establish communication between the interior of the chamber and theatmosphere. The latch is pressed into alinement with the abutment 55 by the spring 56. Pivoted to the latch is a dog 57,

one end of which is held against an abut ment 58 on the latch by the spring 59, and the other end of which extends beyond the latch. Secured to the door 36 or to the piston rod 38 is a proection 61, which in its movement engages t e dog 57. The projection is so placed that it engages the dog and causes the operation of the latch, just as the door reaches its closed position. On the upward movement of the door the projection engages the dog, thereby causing a partial rotation of the latch, which is moved from contact with the abutment on the rod 51, and the spring 52 moves the rod 51 upward,

operating the valve and placing the closed chamber in communication with the source of vacuum. The extending face of the dog 57 1s beveled, so that the projection 61 passes the dog after the latch has been operated.

On the opening movement of the door, the projection engages the dog and rotates it about its pivot, and passes the dog without producing a movement of the latch.

cans are provided for automatically throwing the receptacle closing or sealing means into operation, when the desired vacuum is obtained in the chamber. Arranged in a cylinder 62 forming a pan; of the chamber 17, is a pressure operated de vice or piston 63, having its inner face exposed to the pressure within the chamber and its outer face exposed to atmospheric pressure. Secured to the piston is a piston rod 64, which exends through the rear wall of the cylinder and is adjustably connected to the bell crank 65. Surroundmg the iston rod 64 and interposed between the ll crank and the rear wall of the cylinder is an adjustable compression sprin 66 which opposes the inward movement .0 the piston due to a reduction of pressure in the chamber. By varying the compression of the spring, different conditions of vacuum are necessar to move the bell crank a given distance. ivoted to the other end of the bell crank is a rod 67 which extends into contact with the clutch operating lever 68. When the piston is moved inward by a reduction in pressure in the chamber to the proper de gree, the rod 67 is depressed, causing a depression of the lever 68 and thereby throwmg the receptacle sealing mechanism into operation.

Means are provided for releasing the lever 68 immediately after it is depressed, so that the sealing mechanism will complete only one cycle, and will discontinue to operate after the receptacle has been sealed. The lever 68 is normally held in the elevated position by means of a spring 69, and the clutch mechanism, whereby momentary depression of thelever 68 causes the sealing mechanism to operate through one complete movement only, will be hereinafter explained.

I shall now describe the means whereby the lever 68 is only momentarily depressed. The rod 67 is provided with a transversely bent portion 71, which passes through a guide 72, so that vertical movement of the upper end of the rod causes a compound vertical and lateral movement of the lower end of the rod. The vertical movement of the rod causes the depression of the lever 68 and the lateral movement of the rod causes it to move o1.t of engagement with the lever after it has completed the de ression of the lever, thereby allowing the ever to again spring upward under the influence of the spring 69. The time of lateral movement with relation to vertical movement and the amount of lateral movement may be varied by means of the adjusting screw 73 which extends into the guide block 72 and into contact with the bent portion of the rod.

During the operation of the machine, the drive pulley 74 is continually operated from a suitable source of ower. Secured to the drive pulley is a pinion 75 which meshes with the gear 76, to which is secured a plate having a plurality of pockets 77 therein, which form one member of the clutch. Mounted loosely on the shaft 78 upon which gear 76 is mounted, is a hub 79 which is se cured to the eccentric 16. Secured to the hub 79 is a drum 81 which is engaged by the friction band 82, which opposes a resistance to its rotation. Pivotally mounted on the hub 79 and pressed outward by a spring 83, is adog 84 which is adapted to seat in one of the pockets 77, thereby locking the gear 76 and the eccentric 16 together. Means are provided for holding the do 84 out of engagement with the pockets. ecured to the lever 68 is an arm 85, which may constitute a part of the lever, and when the lever 68 is in its normal or raised position, the arm 85 lies in the path of the dog and raisesitout of the pocket and then the brake 82 brings the eccentric to rest. The arm 85 is so placed, that the sealing mechanism is brought to rest at the end of a sealing operation. When the lever 68 is depressed, the dog 84 drops into a pocket 77 and the eccentric makes a complete revolution before the dog is lifted from the pocket.

Means are provided for cutting ofl communication between the chamber 17 and the source of vacuum supply as soon as the receptacle has been scaled or immediately after the desired degree of vacuum has been obtained. Secured to the collar 8 which is secured to the plunger 5, is a finger 86, which in its downward movement is adapted to engage an abutment 87 on rod 51 and to move the rod downwardly, thereby operating the valve 48 to break communication between the chamber and the source of vacuum and to establish communication between the chamber and the atmosphere. As the plunger 5 moves downward at the end of the sealing operation, the finger 86 engages the abutment 87 and moves the rod 51 downwardly a suiiicient distance to operate the valve and also to move the abutment 55 on the rod 51 to a position below the latch 54, which latch operates to prevent the upward movement of the rod when it is released by the finger 86. Secured to the rod 51 adjacent the abutment 87 is a wedge 88 which, in the downward movement of the rod, contacts with the set screw 89 or other projection which causes the rod to be flexed and moved out of engagement with the finger 86, thereby permitting the rod 51 to be raised by the spring 52, when the rod is again engaged by the latch 54 which holds it in the depressed position.

The operation of the apparatus shown is as follows: The filled receptacle with the closure placed, but not sealed thereon, is placed on the table 6 in the chamber 17. The drive pulley 24 is rotating and a condition of vacuum exists at the source of supply. The foot lever 44 is depressed and the door 36 is consequently closed. As the door reaches its closed position the valve 48 is turned to place the chamber in communication with the source of vacuum. The chamber and consequently the receptacle or the unfilled portion thereof, is vacuumized. When the desired reduction in pressure in the chamber is obtained, the movement of the piston 63 throws the clutch into engagement. The mouth of the receptacle is then pressed into the head 19, the closure is sealed to the receptacle and the plunger carrying the receptacle descends. During its descent, the plunger operates the valve 48, to cut ofi communication between the chamber and the source of vacuum supply and establish communication between the chamber and the atmosphere. The vacuum in the chamber is destroyed and the valve 43 having previously been closed by the removal of the foot from the lever 44, the door descends by gravity. When the plunger reaches the bottom of its stroke, the connection between the pulley 74 and the rod 14 is broken and the plunger remains stationary. The sealed receptacle is then removed, and another receptacle with the closure thereon is placed on the table 6 and the operation repeated. The operator only places the receptacle with its closure on the table, depresses lever 44 and removes the sealed receptacle, the other operations being automatic.

When the invention is applied to machines in which a vacuum is produced in the receptacle for the purpose of holding the closure to its seat and hermetically closing the receptacle, the sealing head shown may be dispensed with and means employed for pressing the closure against the mouth of the receptacle immediately prior to the release of the vacuum in the chamber. This may be accomplished in the machine shown by omitting the ring 22 in the head and usin the ring 25 to press the closure downwar against the receptacle.

I claim:

1. In a vacuum sealing machine, a chamber adapted to be vacuumized, and means operative by a reduction of pressure in said chamber for releasing the vacuum.

2. In a vacuum sealing machine, a closed chamber adapted to be opened, and means operative by a reduction of pressure in said chamber for releasing the vacuum therein so that the chamber may be opened.

3. In a vacuum sealing machine, a chamber adapted to be vacuumized, means in said chamber for applying pressure to the closure of a receptacle, and means operative by a reduction of pressure in said chamber for releasing the vacuum.

4. In a vacuum sealing machine, a vacuumizable chamber adapted to contain a receptacle, means in said chamber for applying pressure to the closure of the receptacle and means operative by a predetermined reduction of pressure in said chamber for releasing the vacuum therein.

5. In a vacuum sealing machine, a chamber adapted to be vacuumized and means operative by a predetermined reduction of pressure in the chamber for throwing into operation means for performing consecutively the several operations necessary to seal a receptacle in vacuo and to re-admit the atmosphere to said chamber.

6. In a vacuum sealing machine, a vacuumizable chamber adapted to contain a re ceptacle to be sealed, means for closing said chamber, means for releasing the vacuum, and means operative b a reduction of pressure in said chamber or throwing into operation said vacuum releasing means, whereby the chamber may be opened.

7. In a vacuum sealing machine, a chamber adapted to be vacuumized, means for releasin said vacuum and means operative by a pre etermined reduction of pressure in the chamber for throwing said vacuum releasing means into operation.

8. In a vacuum sealing machine, a chamber adapted to be vacuumized, means in said chamber for applying pressure to the closure of a receptacle, means for releasing the vacuum an means operative by a predetermined reduction of pressure in said chamber for throwing said vacuum releasing means into operation.

9. In a vacuum sealing machine a chamber adapted to be vacuumized, means for closing said chamber and means operative by a predetermined reduction of pressure in said chamber for throwing into operation means for performing consecutively the several operations necessary to seal a receptacle in 'vacuo, re-admit the atmosphere to the cham ber and permit the opening of the chamber.

10. In a vacuum sealing machine, a vacuumizable chamber adapted to contain the receptacle to be sealed, means in said chamber for applying pressure to the receptacle closure, and means operative by a predetermined reduction of pressure in said chamber for throwing into 0 eration said pressure applying means an thereafter releasing the vacuum in the chamber.

11. In a machine for attaching closures to receptacles, a chamber adapted to be vacuumized, means in the chamber for attach-' ing the closure to the receptacle, means operative b a reduction in pressure within the cham or to a predetermined pressure to throw the attaching means into operation and means for adjusting he means operated by the reduction in pressure tooperate at varying pressures.

12. In a machine for sealin closures. to receptacles, a chamber ada te to bewareuumized, means in the'cham r for pressing the closure to the receptacles, power driven means for o erating said pressin means, and automatica y 0 rated means or connecting said power riven means and said pressmg means when a given degree of vacuum exists in said chamber.

13. In a machine for attachin closures to receptacles, a chamber adapte to be vacuumized, means in thechamber for attaching the closure to the receptacle, power driven means for operating said attaching means, automatically operated means for connecting said power driven means and said attaching means when a 'ven condition of vacuum exists in the cham r, and means for disconnecting saidpower driven means and said attaching means at the end of the attachin operation.

p 14. a machine for attachin closures to receptacles, a chamber ada ted to be vacuumized, means in the cham r for attaching the closure to the receptacle, power driven chamber operation.

means for operating said attaching means, automatically operated means for connecting said power driven means and attaching means when a given condition of vacuum exists in the chamber, means operative by the operation of said attaching means for releasing the vacuum in said chamber, said automatically. operated means including means for disconnecting said power driven means and said attaching means at the end of an attaching operation.

15. In a machine for attaching closures to receptacles, a chamber adapted to be vacuumized, means in said chamber for attaching the closure to the receptacle, means for operating said attaching means for one cycle 0 o rations, and means 0 rative by a reductlon of pressure in this chamber for throwing said operating means into operation.

16. In a machine for attaching closures to receptacles, a chamber adapted to be vacuumized, means in the chamber for attaching the closure to the receptacle, means for operating said attaching means, means operative by a given reduction of pressure in the chamber for throwing said operating means into operation, said pressure operative means including means for throwing the operating means out of actionat the end of the attaching operation.

17. In a machine for attaching closures to receptacles, a chamber adapted to be vacuumized, a door for said chamber, means operative by the closing of the door for causing the vacuumization of said chamber, means in the chamber for attaching the closure to the receptacle, and means operative by a given reduction of pressure in said or throwing said attaching means into 0 eration.

18. n a vacuum sealing machine, a vacuumizable chamber adapted to receive a receptacle, a valve arranged between said chamber and a vaouumizing means, means in said chamber for attaching the closure to the receptacle, a door for said chamber, means operative b the closing of said door for operatin sai valve to establish communication, etween the chamber and the vacuumizingmeans, and means operative by a given reduction of ressure in said chamber for throwing sai attaching means into 19. In a machine for attachin closures to receptacles,avacuumizable cham er adapted to receive the receptacle, movable means in said chamber for attaching the closure to the receptacle, a valve arranged between said chamber and a vacuumizing means ,and means operative by the movement of the attaching means for operating said valve to cut of communication between the chamber and the vacuumizing means.

20. In a vacuum sealing machine, a vacuumizable chamber adapted to receive a receptacle, means in said chamber for attaching the closure to said receptacle, a valve arranged between said chamber and vacuumizing means, a door for said chamber, means operative by the closing of said door for operating the valve to establish communication between the chamber and the vacuumizing means, whereby the chamber is vacuumized, means operative by a reduction of pressure in the chamber for throwing said attaching means into operation, and means operative by the ending movement of said attaching means for operating said valve to cut 0 communication between the chamber and the vacuumizing means and establish communication between the chamber and the atmosphere.

21. In a machine for attaching closures to receptacles, a vacuumizable chamber adapted to receive the receptacle, means within the chamber for attaching the closure to the receptacle, and means operative by a predetermined reduction of pressure in the chamber for throwing said attaching means into operation.

22. In a machine for attaching closures to receptacles, a chamber adapted to be vacuumized, means in the chamber for attaching the closure to the receptacle, a cylinder forming a part of said chamber, means in said cylinder adapted to be moved by a reduction of pressure in said chamber, to throw the closure applying means into operation.

23. In a machine for attaching closures to receptacles, a chamber adapted to be Vacuumized, means in the chamber for attaching the closure to the receptacle, a cylinder forming part of said chamber, a piston in said cylinder adapted to be moved by a reduction of pressure in said chamber, means for throwing said closure attachin means into operation, and means connecting said piston and said last named means.

24. In a machine for attaching closures to receptacles, a chamber adapted to be vacuumized, means in said chamber for attaching the closure to the receptacle, a cylinder forming part of said chamber, a piston in said cylinder, means operative by a movement of the piston for throwing said closure attaching means into operation, and means for varying the resistance ofiered to the movement of said piston.

25. In a machine for attaching closures to receptacles, a chamber adapted to be vacuumized, means in said chamber for attaching the closure to the receptacle, driving means for operating said closure attaching means, a clutch arranged between said driving means and said attaching means, a lever for operating said clutch, a cylinder forming a part of said chamber, a piston in said cylinder, and means connecting said piston and lever.

26. In a machine for attaching closures to receptacles, a chamber adapted to be vacuumized, means in said chamber for attaching the closure to the receptacle, driving means for operating said closure attaching means, a clutch between said driving means and attaching means, a lever for operating said clutch, a cylinder forming a part of said chamber, a piston in said cylinder adapted to be moved by a reduction of pressure in said chamber, and a rod engagin said lever and attached to said piston, sai rod being constructed to momentarily actuate said lever when the desired reduction of ressure is obtained in said chamber.

2 In a machine for attaching closures to receptacles, a chamber adapted to be vacuumized, means in said chamber for attaching the closure to the receptacle, driving means for operating said closure attaching means, a clutch between said driving means and said attaching means, a lever for operating said clutch, a movable element in said chamber adapted to be moved by a reduction of pressure in said chamber, a rod engaging said lever and connected to said movable element, and means for causing said rod to release said lever as soon as the lever has been moved the proper distance.

28. In a machine for attaching closures to receptacles, a chamber adapted to be vacuumized, means in said chamber for attaching the closure to the receptacle, a valve arranged between said chamber and a vacuumizing means, a rod connected to said valve, means for moving said rod to operate the valve to establish communication between the chamber and the vacuumizing means, means operative by a reduction of pressure in said chamber for throwing said closure attaching means into operation, and means operative by the movement of said closure attaching means for moving said rod to operate the valve to cut ofi communication be-' tween the chamber and the vacuumizing means.

29. In a machine for attaching closures to receptacles, a chamber adapted to be vacuumized, means in said chamber comprising a. head and a plunger for attaching the closure to the receptacle, and means operated by the downward movement of the plunger for cutting ofl communication between said chamber and vacuumizing means.

30. In a machine for attaching closures to receptacles, a chamber adapted to be vacuumized, means in said chamber comprising a head and a plunger for attaching the closure to the receptacle, a valve between said chamber and a vacuumizing means, a rod attached to said valve, means for moving said rod to operate the valve to establish communication between the chamber and the vacuumizing means, means for throwing said attaching means into operation, and means operative by the movement of the plunger for moving said rod and thereby operating said valve to cut off communication between the chamber and the vacuumizing means.

31. In a machine for attaching closures to receptacles, a chamber adapted to be vacuumized, means in said chamber comprising ahead and a plunger for attaching the closure to the receptacle, a valve between said chamber and a vacuumizing means, a rod attached to said valve, means for pressing said rod in one direction, a latch for holding said rod against the force of said pressing means, means for releasing said latch to permit the pressing means to operate the valve to establish communication between said chamber and vacuumizing means, means for throwin said attaching means into operation, a finger on said plunger adapted to engage and move said rod on the movement of the plunger, thereby operating the valve to cut ofl" communication between the chamber and vacuumizing means and establish communication between the chamber and the atmosphere, and means for releasingsaid rod from said finger When the rod has been moved a suflicient distance to permit it to be engaged by said latch.

32. In a vacuum sealing machine, a vacuumizable chamber adapted to contain a receptacle to be sealed, a valve between the vacuumizing means and the chamber and between the chamber and the atmosphere, and means operative by a predetermined re duction of pressure in said chamber for throwing into operation means for operating said valve to cut off communication between the chamber and the vacuumizing means and to establish communication between the chamber and the atmosphere.

33. In a vacuum sealing machine, a vacuumizable chamber adapted to contain a receptacle to be sealed, means in said chamber for pressing the closure against the receptacle, a valve between the vacuumizing means and the chamber and between the chamber and the atmosphere, and means operative by a predetermined reduction of pressure in said chamber for throwing into operation said pressing means and operating said valve to cut off communication between the chamber and the vacuumizing means and establish communication between the chamber and the atmosphere,

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand at San Francisco, California, this 11th day of December 191%.

WILLIAM C. BUHLES.

In presence of W. WV. HEALEY, H. G. Paos'r.

DISCLAIMER.

1,150,992. William 0'. Buhles, Alameda, Cal. CLOSING-MACHINE. Patent dated August 24, 1915. Disclaimer filed February 7, 1917, by the assignee, the Aluminum Seal Go'mpany.

Enters this disclaimer "To that part of the claim in said specification which is in the following words,

to wit:

Claims numbered 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9,10, 11, 12, 13, 15, 16, 21, 32, and 33 of the said Letters Patent as issued.

[Oflc'ial Gazette, February 20, 1917.] 

